Fire Inspectors and Investigators Salary
Fire Inspectors and Investigators in Washington make a median of $122,900 a year, or about $59.09 an hour. The range runs from $78K at the entry level to $146K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $120,478 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 23.1% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
Where the paycheck goes
What $123K actually covers in Washington, month by month
About fire inspectors and investigators
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What this looks like in Washington
Washington sits well above the national pay line for fire inspectors and investigators, local pay runs about 62% higher than the U.S. median of $76K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,830/month, 23.2% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Combined with manageable housing costs, Washington offers a genuinely strong financial position for fire inspectors and investigators at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level fire inspectors and investigators (10th percentile) start around $78K. Mid-career wages sit at $123K. Top earners bring in $146K or more, a $68K spread from bottom to top.
Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary by metro in Washington
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $128K | +4% | 210 |
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BLS updates this data annually. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Quick answers
The stuff people actually ask about this job
Can a fire inspectors and investigator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $123K, rent takes 23.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for fire inspectors and investigators in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new fire inspectors and investigators typically earn — is $78K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $5,261/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 35% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is fire inspectors and investigator a high-paying job in Washington?
Local pay is 62% above the national median — $123K here vs. $76K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for fire inspectors and investigators?
Washington pays $123K median vs. the U.S. average of $76K — that’s +62%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $120K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do fire inspectors and investigators make in Washington?
The median is $122,900 a year, that works out to about $59 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $77,810, and experienced fire inspectors and investigators can clear $145,760. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $123K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,896/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 23.2% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a fire inspectors and investigators salary go in Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median fire inspectors and investigators salary is worth about $120,478 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do fire inspectors and investigators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.